Evaluation and Analysis of the Safety and Security Status in Shiraz Public Transportation with an Emphasis on Women's Security (Case Study: Metro Users at Namazi Station in Shiraz)

Document Type : Scientific-Research

Authors

• Reza Moradi Romghani ¹
• mohammadhossein saraei ²

¹ PhD student of geography and urban planning, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

² Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jgusd.2024.84057.1343

Abstract

Extended abstract

Introduction

Safety and security issues in urban transportation have been of concern to transportation planners for decades. Since the 1970s, safety and security in public transportation have been analyzed extensively. Most cities in developing countries experience high rates of transport-related injuries, which can be classified into safety issues (accidents) and security issues (criminal behavior). Studies on mobility indicate that certain social groups, particularly women, experience greater concern and anxiety about unpleasant incidents due to inadequate safety or security in transit environments. Women in many developing cities face increasing threats to their safety and security in public transportation. Women are commonly recognized as a group of users of public transport (PT) who encounter more barriers compared to male commuters. Fear of harassment is identified as the primary barrier preventing women from using public transportation. Men also experience similar fears but may under-report them in surveys due to social norms. Therefore, examining gender differences in the perception of safety, rather than women’s absolute perception of safety, is valuable. This study aimed assess the level of safety and security at the Namazi Metro Station in Shiraz from the perspective of its users. It also tried to compare women’s and men’s perceptions of safety and security at the Namazi Metro Station and to investigate the factors influencing the perception of safety and security at the Namazi Metro Station.

Methods

This survey used questionnaire for collecting the required data. The statistical population consisted of users of the Namazi Metro Station in Shiraz in 2023. The sample size, calculated using Cochran’s formula, was estimated to be 384 individuals. Indicators for the studied variables were derived from the theoretical framework and relevant sources, and the questionnaire was designed by the researchers. The reliability of questionnaire was calculated as 0.841 using Cronbach’s alpha. A simple random sampling method was used to distribute and complete the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS and EQS software, employing descriptive statistics (percentages of users’ individual characteristics) and inferential statistics (one-sample t-test, independent t-test, and structural equation modeling, including confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis).

Results

The results showed that the level of security at the Namazi Metro Station in Shiraz is above average, with a coefficient of 3.68. The security level for women, with a coefficient of 3.63, is also above average but lower than that for men, with a coefficient of 3.73. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Among the security indicators, verbal harassment or insults, with a coefficient of 3.36, were rated as the worst by female users at the Namazi Metro Station in Shiraz. Moreover, the psychological characteristics of users (coefficient: 0.56), environmental characteristics of the station (coefficient: 0.41), and individual characteristics of users (coefficient: 0.40) had the greatest impact on users’ perceptions of security at the Namazi Metro Station.

Discussion and Conclusion

The results indicate that regarding security at the Namazi Metro Station in Shiraz the issue of verbal harassment or insults was rated poorly compared to other indicators. This can be addressed by promoting respect, creating a calming atmosphere, and improving service quality, as most instances of such aggression stem from overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and delays in travel time. Enhancing service delivery and improving environmental characteristics can positively influence users’ psychological characteristics, thereby increasing perceptions of safety and security in public transportation environments. For future research, given the importance of users’ psychological characteristics and the station’s environmental characteristics, qualitative studies through interviews with both officials and users are recommended to explore new dimensions of these factors and contribute to achieving sustainable safety and security in public transportation environments.
 

Keywords

• Safety and Security
• Metro Station
• Public Transportation
• Women
• Shiraz

References

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